LIAM Willford, guitarist with indie rock band Coasts, says working on the set of Made In Chelsea was a really surreal experience, but playing at Reading Rock Festival is a dream come true.

Coasts are joining a star studded line-up including Metallica, Mumford and Sons and The Libertines, on Sunday, August 30 at Reading.

The Coasts' single A Rush Of Blood was former BBC Radio One presenter Zane Lowe's Hottest Record last year, and was then featured on the popular TV series, Made in Chelsea, which is known for supporting new bands. Coasts were invited to perform on the show.

Liam said: "We are massive fans of the show, it is our guilty pleasure, it's so warped and bizarre. It was the weirdest experience on set, surreal and probably my favourite thing I have done so far.''

Rehearsing in the crypt of a church may not be every musician's cup of tea, but the only ghosts the indie rock band found were high spirits - when they threw their own gig in the catacombs.

"No ghosts, just equipment breakdowns, which may have been something, but more likely damp,'' said Liam.

"It was a bit of a nightmare, very echoing, but it was the cheapest place to rehearse. We decided to put on our own gig there and got two other bands to play with us. That was cool.''

Joining Liam in the band are Chris Caines, James Gamage, David Goulburn and Ben Street. Coasts began life in Bath when the musicians were at university.

"After uni we moved to Bristol and worked in a restaurant, 12-hour shifts all over the weekend, and then from Monday to Thursday we spent 10 hours a day rehearsing,'' said Liam, who now lives in Brighton.

After two years the musicians had changed direction many times until they stopped trying to 'chase the dragon' and started making the music they love.

"The name came out of that time too, we play music that makes us feel great, it's a nostalgic sound, songs that recall summer by the seaside, even when it's a rainy day in Brighton,'' said Liam.

The band have been working on their self-titled debut album, which is due out on Friday, September 4 on Warner Music. The guys chose very diverse producers, including Mike Spence, who works with Rudimental and Duncan Mills, who works with Jake Bugg.

"We wanted to make it high tech, modern music, a move forward. We didn't want a pastiche from the past,'' said Liam.

He says the band write a lot of their songs on laptops so they can listen back on a loop, to focus on each little bit, rather than trying to write in the chaos of rehearsals.

"We try to bottle that live magic and capture it on computer,'' said Liam.

Coasts have let the Genie out of the bottle on a coastal headline tour this summer, in keeping with their sunshine sound, including festivals such as Isle of Wight and T in the Park. They are also performing in Toronto with George Ezra and James Bay and Coachella festival in California.

"I have spent more time in the US than the UK so far this year,'' said Liam.

But it was not always big festivals and jet setting.

"It has been a bit of a Spinal Tap experience with the highs of Radio One Big Weekend and lows of van breakdowns at 4am in the morning,'' said Liam.

As an up-and-coming guitarist, Reading Festival was always one of the must-go-to events of the summer season, and Liam remembers watching the stage with envious eyes.

"I remember thinking one day I wish it could be me. So coming to Reading's main stage is a special moment.'' - Flicky Harrison

Ticket info: Weekend tickets £205.00 plus £8. booking fee + postage

  • Day tickets Friday / Saturday / Sunday £59.50 plus £7 booking fee + postage
  •  Early entry permits £20
  •  Campervan permits £75
  •  Lockers £16
  •  Reading car parking £10
  •  Camping is included with weekend tickets only

     

    Our Guide to Who's on Where

    MAIN STAGE

    From Metallica and The Libertines to Mumford & Sons the Main Stage lineup is upping the antes this summer.

    Mariachi El Bronx will also return to the prestigious opening slot to bring festival crowds their signature brand of traditional mariachi and feel good pop for a set that is sure to bring the sunshine.

    NME/BBC RADIO 1 STAGE

    Taking the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage on Friday, The Struts will be making their R&L debut this year, treating crowds to their potent mix of indie and glam rock.

    Illinois natives Twin Peaks will also appear on Saturday and are already tipped as a must-see act.

    BBC RADIO 1 DANCE STAGE

    Joining this year’s lineup are Australian hitmaker Hayden James, German deep-house wizard Ferdinand Weber, a very special live set from DJ Fresh, Irish favourites Riptide Movement, live electronic duo Maribou State, pop starlet Petite Meller and The Six.

    THE LOCK UP/PIT STAGE

    A host of exciting new names have been announced for The Lock Up/Pit stage, including The Bronx and Progressive metal legends Baroness. Japanese noise-mongers Bo Ningen will bring their visceral, undeniably unique sound to a mid-afternoon slot on Friday Reading / Saturday Leeds. Earlier in the day the gloriously destructive God Damn will be proving why so much hype has surrounded them in recent months.

    FESTIVAL REPUBLIC STAGE

    Sunset Sons will bring their fresh brand of beachside indie to the tent on Friday. Scottish synth-poppers Neon Waltz will play on Saturday.

    Seether and The Last Internationale complete the bill, rounding off an incredible stage lineup that features the best alternative talent the world has to offer.

    BBC 1XTRA STAGE

    Bringing together 80s pop hooks with a 60s aesthetic, Brighton’s Remi Miles will open the stage on Saturday.

    Fresh from collaborating with Jamie XX, unlikely rap hero Young Thug will also be making a rare appearance on Saturday.

    Sibling production / DJ duo Star.One will also join the lineup, perfectly encapsulating the diverse and groundbreaking nature of the BBC 1xtra Stage.